Marijuana legalization can be win for environmental movement

Indoor cultivation methods are a byproduct of the illegality of marijuana. Once legal in Canada, it is likely the preferred growing method will be outdoor/sun-grown, which is less-energy intensive.

People smoking marijuana on Parliament Hill on April 20, 2014. Regulation related to the legalization of marijuana, if done right, could be beneficial to the environment, writes Kelly Coulter. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Gerald Butts has removed himself from the daily political grind of strategizing how to keep the Liberals in power. But observers say it's unlikely he will be consigned to watch the campaign unfold from the sidelines.

SNC-Lavalin risks a takeover if it's convicted. But aside from likely outrage in Quebec, Ottawa can find other builders for its infrastructure plans if the company is banned from bidding on federal contracts, experts say

The Quebec company had extensive access to government ministers and top staffers, and was the only organization registered to lobby for allowing deferred prosecution agreements for white collar crimes.